Plus, Taco John's scheduled to open Tuesday

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Posted:
01/20/2013 05:50:19 PM MST

Updated:
01/20/2013 05:55:48 PM MST

Dear Johnnie: It seems that more and more dogs are being shot and killed by police and sheriff officers in Colorado.

The ones we hear about are dogs that weren't being aggressive toward the officers. Being a responsible dog owner, I'm concerned with this. I want to know what is the Longmont Police Department's policy when they come across a dog that's being aggressive and also not being aggressive. -- Kris

Dear Kris: I am aware of two shootings in the past two months, both in Adams County. I admit there might be other recent shootings of dogs of which I am unaware.

I checked in with Longmont Police Cmdr. Jeff Satur to find out about the local department's policy.

"The Longmont Police Department does have policies in place for handing aggressive animals and wildlife," he replied in an email. "Our animal control officers are very well trained and handle the majority of our aggressive dog complaints and wildlife issues. ... Without addressing these other incidents, I can say our officers do not want to shoot an aggressive dog, but we have done so in the past. I can think of three incidents in the last 20 years."

Kris, I found two of those by looking through Times-Call archives.

In July 2003, Longmont police shot a pit bull that they said tried to attack officers, even after it was shocked with a Taser three times. The dog charged officers as they approached the home of a man whom they wanted to question in connection with a burglary and assault. Officers said at the time that they had received a previous complaint about the dog charging a neighbor and a child.

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In June 2005, police responded to an address after a pit bull was shot by its owner. The dog had attacked him and his pregnant girlfriend, so the owner shot the dog four times. Police arrived the find the dog still alive, and its owner asked police to put down the dog.

"When we have prior notice, our officers to approach these situations with care, and the majority are handled without harm to the aggressive dog," Satur said. "We generally use catch poles and have also used less lethal shotguns (bean bag rounds), pepper spray and the Taser to resolve or deter an aggressive dog. These situations can rapidly evolve, without prior warning and officers must make decisions under tense and uncertain conditions, often in split second."

As I'm sure you are aware, Kris, certain large breeds of dogs can be very dangerous. Just last year, a Longmont man was mauled by a pit bull, requiring dozens of stitches and months of recovery time.

I also checked the "Boulder County Sheriff's Office Police and Procedures Manual," where I found this:

"Deputies may use deadly force to destroy an animal that represents a threat to public safety, or as a humanitarian measure when the animal is seriously injured and the deputy believes that the deadly force can be used without endangering others."

Considering recent news out of Boulder, I asked Satur about police policy when dealing with wildlife.

"Our S.O.P. covers anything from bats to large wildlife and/or livestock," he wrote. "When dealing with large wildlife, our S.O.P. requires our officers to consult with the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife prior to taking any action if practical. Once deceased, the carcass of these animals are turned over to the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife."

Satur said that officers, "over the years ... have dispatched large wildlife, mostly deer, but these, too, are infrequent."

In September 2001, a Longmont officer shot and killed a 500-600 pound elk after it was struck by a car on 17th Avenue near the FAA center.

"Our reporting procedures require, other than in training, officers to report to a supervisor anytime they discharge a firearm or less lethal shotgun," Satur noted. "We also have policies in place for the Taser and pepper spray. Besides the verbal notification, they must complete a written report and this is followed up with an investigation by the supervisor and a review through the chain of command."

Dear Readers: I noticed on Saturday evening that the lights were on at the Taco John's on Main Street, so I pulled in to see what was going on. The sign posted on the door said that the restaurant will open Tuesday.

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